LOCARNO CONFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 October 1925, Page 3

LOCARNO CONFERENCE.

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] LOCARNO AGREEMENT AND GERMAN STOCK EXCHANGE. (Received this day at 11.25 a.m.) BERLIN, Oct. 18. The Locarno agreement reacted on tbe Stock Exchange, causing a great advance in prices. MUSSOLINI BOYCOTTED. (Received this day at 9.30 a.in.) LONDON, October 18. There was a remarkable incident at the Locarno Conference. Mussolini was openly boycotted by practically the whole body of newspaper representatives, as a protest against the suppression of the press in Italy. The •' Daily Herald’s” correspondent, whose account is confirmed from other sources, says the movement was initiated by the Socialist correspondents and spread rapidly. As a Jesuit when Mussolini entered the room at the Grand Hotel for the Press Conference only the Fascists and a lew press representatives followed him, over one hundred remaining outside.

After the conference .Mussolini when walking across the hall confronted the •' Daily Herald” correspondent and said. cynically: Is tbe Communist movement going strong 5” The correspondent: I cannot say. .Mussolini: Why not '1 The correspondent: Because 1 am not a Communist. •Mussolini: Then 1 was mistaken. Tbe correspondent: Yes. you were mistaken. Then a Dutch correspondent interposed : 'l’hat often happens to von Signor .Mussolini. Whereupon tbe Dictator turned on bis heel and quitted the hall. The British correspondents unamV m.mislv took part in the boycott. There was a similar incident on tbo previous 'Thursday, when Mussolini was not invited to tbe press luncheon whereat other Ministers were guests. PARIS, October 19.

The change in European mentality, brought by tbo Locarno Conference, is reflected in the newspaper editorials which are almost unanimous in paying tribute to tbe German statesmen whose intelligence and courage contributed to the success of the conference. (Received this day at 11.25 a.m.) PARIS. Oct. 19. 'The newspapers are unanimous in expressing satisfaction at the Locarno Pact. The “Petit Parisieii” claims the Rhine frontier is guaranteed. The “Matin” says for tbe first time since tbe Treaty of Versailles wo can breathe freclv. BERLIN. Oct. 19. Tbe "Vossiscbe Zeitung” remarks that the guarantee of peace afforded by the treaties marks a/great, step torward. The “Berliner Tagoblatt” says tbe success ot the conleroMco depends whether deeds follow promises.